Bhubaneswar (AsiaNews) – As Christmas approaches, fear among Orissa Christians grows. The December 2007 pogrom is still impressed in their memories. Given the circumstances, Mgr Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, has urged priests, men and women religious and the faithful to be vigilant but also to build peace and harmony with Hindus during Christmas time.
“It is necessary to remove the poison that has been injected in the minds of the people against the Christians. Please study and act. It is our need and we are in a war with people who want to destroy Christian minorities in Kandhamal and in India at large,” Archbishop Cheenath said.
“Therefore, with great joy and hope we welcome him into our midst. After the persecution in 2007 and 2008, the coming of Christ is more relevant and essential because Jesus will enable us to bring all of us together. He will guide us to form communities in which we will be able to live in peace and harmony,” the prelate said.
“Let us greet not only our Christian brethren, but also our brothers and sisters of other faiths since our Heavenly Father wants all to be saved,” he added.
Kishen Kumar, district collector in Kandhamal, reassured the archdiocese that the administration would provide security arrangements for Church celebrations during Christmas week.
In Kandhamal, violence broke out in December 2007 and lasted until 2008. More than a hundred Christians were killed, including priests, men and women religious as well as lay people.
Dozens of Christian churches and schools were destroyed because of false charges of proselytising.
Hindus forced more than 50,000 Christians to leave their land and seek refuge elsewhere.
Residents who returned to their homes in the past two years have lived in fear of more pogroms by Hindu extremists.
Those responsible for the crimes are still free, whilst witnesses called to testify before the Kandhamal court have been forced into silence through threats and discrimination.